Paranoid Good

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Taiwan - Taipei (Chapter) Lonely Planet

Taipei has undergone a transformation over the past two decades that has turned the city into one of the region’s most dynamic, sophisticated, exciting - and yes, even beautiful - metropolises. Taipei is no longer the ugly duckling of East Asia.

Coverage includes: Sights, Activities, Tours, Festivals & Events, Sleeping, Eating, Drinking, Entertainment, Shopping, around Taipei, Beitou, Yangmingshan National Park, Danshui, Bali and Guandu.

Taiwan - Taipei (Chapter)

Jeremy (1973)

It’s not hard to see why some folks hold a special place in their hearts for the sensitive teen romance Jeremy, because even though it’s not a noteworthy film in any other regard, the picture treats adolescent angst with an unusual degree of respect. Further, writer-director Arthur Barron captures how all-important first love feels to the involved parties. Therefore, it’s a bit unfair to complain that the narrative of Jeremy is slight, even though that’s certainly the case—for the leading characters, romantic turbulence might as well be the end of the world. Robby Benson, appearing in one of his first movies, cements his screen persona as a blue-eyed heartthrob by playing Jeremy Jones, a cello student at a New York City performing arts school. Painfully shy and upset by his teacher’s pronouncement that Jeremy will never be a world-class musician, the young cellist happens upon Susan Rollins (Glynis O’Connor), a ballet student whose family recently relocated from Detroit to New York. The two fall in love, but then Susan’s father announces he’s moving the family back to the Motor City.

Jeremy is a small film about closely observed emotions, so there’s not much in the way of plot. Instead, Barron—who never made another feature—lets moments linger so that viewers can savor moods. His observational approach is delivered via humble production values. Since Jeremy was photographed with a rudimentary shot-design aesthetic on grainy 16-milimeter film, the movie has the texture of a documentary. Happily, the leading performers thrive in this milieu. Benson’s habits of casting his eyes downward and of speaking softly invite the viewer to peer through his outer shell to find the sweetness within. O’Connor, making her screen debut, plays only slightly brassier notes, and the pair has a warm chemistry. (They later reteamed for the 1976 release Ode to Billy Joe.)

If any major criticism could be leveled at Jeremy, it’s that Barron treats his characters too gently—there’s very little real conflict in the story. For instance, after Jeremy’s teacher (Leonardo Cimino) tells Jeremy he’s not good enough for a music career, the teacher then spends the entire following scene apologizing for being too harsh. The pervasive niceness of the movie creates a lulling sort of monotony after a while, even though many scenes are quite lovely, such as Jeremy’s performance of a difficult cello piece during a school recital. Some elements of Jeremy have aged poorly, including the film’s theme song (“The Hourglass Song”), which Benson sings on the soundtrack three different times; lest anyone forget this is a tender drama, a reminder from Benson’s achingly wispy voice is never far behind. Still, none could fault Jeremy for lacking commitment, because every frame of the movie communicates Barron’s compassionate take on teen angst.

Jeremy: GROOVY

First Ascent of K6 West 7040 m + Russell and 3 others by Pat Hadley

Raheel Adnan has posted on Explorersweb on the first ascent of K6 West in theKarakorum and Gasherrum1 summits
Pat Hadley has a trip report with pictures and slide show on Russell, Tunnabora, Carillon and Caltech Peak
Sean on the Grand Teton

http://www.explorersweb.com/everest_k2/news.php?url=summer-2013-final-summit-bids-gi-summits_137551946

K6 West in the Karakorum

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http://pathadley.smugmug.com/2013/July-30-Aug-1-2013-Russell/30943608_BJfMsG#!i=2675943946&k=m5r54bJ

http://drdirtbag.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/grand-teton-e-ridge-iii-5-7/

Grand Teton 5.7

https://www.facebook.com/#!/cyril.kaicener

Random picture on Facebook

Please visit my website
http://www.hiking4health.com

Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands - Quito (Chapter)

High in the Andes amid mist-covered peaks, the world's second-highest capital Quito, is packed with historical monuments and architectural treasures. It's Ecuador's most dynamic city, with a vibrant civic scene and a fascinating collection of neighborhoods.

Coverage includes: Quito & around, La Mitad del Mundo, Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua & around, and Volcán Pichincha.

Lonely Planet PDF eBooks are PDF versions. They are available from the Lonely Planet Shop as either individual chapters or complete guides. PDF files can be printed and are viewable on eReaders, tablets, smart-phones and PCs.

Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands - Quito (Chapter)

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Skywalk Cayenne 4 First Flight on Ravna Gora North

Japan - Mt Fuji & Around Tokyo (Chapter) Lonely Planet

With ancient sanctuaries and natural hot springs, mountains and beaches, the region surrounding Tokyo is a natural foil for the dizzying capital. Really, you couldn't design it any better if you tried.

Coverage includes: North of Tokyo, Nikkō & around, Gunma Prefecture, Mito, West of Tokyo, Takao-San, Oku-Tama Region, Mt Fuji Area, Hakone, Izu Peninsula, South of Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura, East of Tokyo, Narita, Izu Archipelago, Ō-Shima, Nii-Jima, Shikine-Jima, Hachijō-Jima, Ogasawara Archipelago, Chichi-Jima and Haha-jima.

Japan - Mt Fuji & Around Tokyo (Chapter)